As might be expected, the village is buzzing with comments about the unfortunate death of José María Caracuel, the young man who died recently at the Health Centre. A petition is doing the rounds and is available for signature at most bars and other establishments in Jimena. There are very few signatures on those papers. The fact is that it would seem the entire town has come out in support of the doctor involved, Javier Rodríguez Conejo (whose name we didn't want to put up in
our editorial on the subject, below, but that is now common knowledge). We have not a single comment that does not include condolence to Josema's family and friends, and not a single one that says anything other than good things about Dr. Rodríguez Conejo (known affectionately among expats as 'Roger Rabbit'). TioJimeno is brimming with the same, some written by learned writers, by politicians, by the more erudite, and many more by the ordinary people of Jimena. Aside from the feelings mentioned above, most if not all the comments demand better medical coverage for emergencies at the health centre. As TioJimeno says in the headline to his latest article on the subject: '
The problems at the centre have a long history.' Indeed, we at JimenaPulse have been on about it for a while, too,
the latest earlier this month. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHOW a) YOUR SUPPORT FOR DOCTOR RODRÍGUEZ CONEJO and/or b) YOUR DEMAND FOR BETTER EMERGENCY COVERAGE AT THE HEALTH CENTRE,
please write in by e-mail or write a comment below. You are part of this community, this is the time to show it.
7 comments:
From another item, by Anonymous:
"I cannot possibly comment on the tragedy that has occurred regarding the death of this poor man but I would like to say that I went to the Centro de Salud a few months ago with nothing more than a throbbing lower leg and was seen by my usual doctor who immediately prescribed injections, cream and a follow up appointment. Later that day I was still concerned, went back and was referred straight away to La Linea where further tests were carried out and all was well. The care was exemplary even when no outward signs of the suspected embolism were evident and I cannot fault the health centre in any way. Obviously all cases are individual and I only want to reassure others and to prevent unnecessary worries regarding our health in the hands of our local care givers."
(Received by mail: Received by mail and translated: I have known Dr. Javier Rodríguez Conejo since he arrived in Jimena and has been my doctor and that of many of my friends. I have to say that he has always been absolutely correct and pofesional, one of the few physicians I know with a true vocation. I cannot imagine that he committed negligence as he has always acted with certainty. I am terribly sorry for the family an friends of José María Caracuel who died and I understand that nothing can aleviate their pain, but I believe that to condemn a doctor so totally dedicated to his work for a human error (if that is the case) is not fair, especially knowing what that could mean. I only want to offer my sincere ondolences to Josema's family and my support towards Javier Rodríguez Conejo, who in my opinion does not deserve this.
Signed:
Margarita Blanco Ayala and Guy Martin
(Prospero Note: the doctor's name, which we had refused to give out in our editorial, is by now common knowledge.)
I would also like to offer my condolences to my neighbours for the loss of their brother....to lose someone so young and in such awful circumstances must be terrible but I hope that the finger of blame does not continue to point at my family doctor,Javier.He has always been a wonderful professional doctor,totally committed to his work and always sympathetic.The health centre has many flaws which need to be attended to immediately but Dr Rodriguez,in my opinion,is not one of them.Please pass my support onto him and his fmily in this difficult time and may he continue to do his good work here in the future.Susan Haddon
Javier must have SAVED many, many lives to date and could not believe my eyes when I saw the demonstration. I fully support the demand for better emergency services at the Health Centre.
(By e-mail) "I cannot speak highly enough of Dr. Rodriguez Conejo. Chris and myself have been patients of his since we reached retirement age and when my elderly Mother came to live with us, she also came under his care, and thank goodness she did!!!
Within weeks of being here, Doctor Rodriguez suspected my Mother had a very serious problem with the arteries in her legs, with a blockage of between 50% and 100%!! [ This had not been noticed in the UK] Urgent appointments were made and arranged by him and within a very short space of time, my Mother was under the care of a Vascular Specialist, in Cadiz. This was 2 years ago now and we continue to be grateful for his prompt attention as my Mother is now 86 and doing very well………all thanks to Doctor Rodriguez Conejo. He is such a genuine and caring person, I cannot imagine how dreadful he must be feeling, and I sincerely hope that his reputation is not damaged by this tragic incident. Signed Gareth Bowman."
My only experience of Dr. Rodriguez Conejo who is not my docotor, was utterly posiive. I saw him out of hours, late at night via the good offices of a friend who works for the health service and saw which way things were going with me. Perhaps he did not save my life but he certainly saved my sanity. He was so very kind and patient. Just thinking about the saintly treatment i received makes a huge lump come in my throat. Dr. Javier has a true vocation.
We are so so sorry for the young man and his family BUT we can speak nothing but GOOD for Javier,he is an AMAZING Doctor!!!!and the treatment we have received in the 8yrs we have been living here has been better than any we would have had in England!!!My husband has been SERIOUSLY ill 2/3 times and once with a pulmonary embolism !!!!He has saved his life more than once and for this he has my (our)undying gratitude.Jimena has an amazing doctor in Javier and please God for many years to come....Pat and Angie Copp
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